The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the leader of public health in the US. It administers multiple surveys, gathers vital statistics, and tracks infectious diseases, and much more, all the while making this data readily available to the public. Like all Federal agencies, though, it is a complex organization which is reflected in their website.

During this class, we will explore key data initiatives of the CDC, focusing on publicly available data sites that allow you to find data through their interfaces. We will also review some of the CDC datasets that can be downloaded for free.

Note: Due to time constraints, we will not be able to download any of the data sites to run with statistical software.

Upon completing this class, you should be able to:

• Describe the basic organization of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
• Identify and navigate the HSLS LibGuide to access CDC data;
• Demonstrate the use of CDC WONDER to develop meaningful data charts;
• Identify CDC sources of data for chronic disease and risk behaviors;
• Identify CDC sources of data for infectious diseases;
• Identify CDC datasets for download.

A link to class materials will be provided during the class; an email will be sent to participants after the class with the link as well.